A device may receive a request for domain name system (DNS) information to be provided to a user device communicating via a visited network. The device may identify roaming policy information associated with the user device and, based on the roaming policy information, may determine that the user device is restricted from sending or receiving data via the visited network. The device may determine DNS information, to be provided to the user device, that includes information that identifies a restricted DNS server to which the user device is to be directed. The device may provide the DNS information to the user device to cause the user device to be directed to the restricted DNS server. The user device may be directed to the restricted DNS server to permit a user of the user device to authorize the user device to send or receive data via the visited network.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A device, comprising: one or more processors to: receive a request for domain name system (DNS) information to be provided to a user device communicating via a visited network, the visited network being a network that is not a home network of the user device; identify, based on receiving the request, roaming policy information associated with the user device; determine, based on the roaming policy information, that the user device is restricted from sending or receiving data via the visited network; determine DNS information to be provided to the user device, the DNS information including information that identifies a restricted DNS server to which the user device is to be directed; provide the DNS information to the user device, the DNS information being provided to the user device to cause the user device to be directed to the restricted DNS server, and the user device being directed to the restricted DNS server in order to permit a user of the user device to authorize the user device to send or receive data via the visited network; determine that the user device is permitted to send or receive data via the visited network based on the user device being directed to the restricted DNS server; and provide other DNS information to the user device, the other DNS information including information that identifies a standard DNS server to which the user device is to be directed, and the other DNS information being provided to the user device to cause the user device to be directed to the standard DNS server, in order to allow the user device to send or receive data via the visited network.
A device manages data roaming by intercepting DNS requests from a user device on a foreign network. If roaming is initially restricted based on policy, the device responds with the address of a "restricted DNS server". This server likely presents an authorization page, allowing the user to enable roaming. If the user authorizes roaming, the device then responds to subsequent DNS requests with the address of a normal "standard DNS server," enabling full internet access on the foreign network. The process includes checking the roaming policy, initially restricting access, providing a means for the user to authorize, and then granting access via standard DNS.
2. The device of claim 1 , where the one or more processors are further to: determine information that identifies a restricted network address pool, the restricted network address pool being associated with a group of restricted network addresses from which the user device is to be assigned a network address; and provide the information that identifies the restricted network address pool such that the user device is assigned a restricted network address of the group of restricted network addresses.
The device described in Claim 1, when initially restricting roaming access, also assigns the user device an IP address from a special "restricted network address pool." This pool is separate from the normal address range and may limit functionality until the user authorizes roaming. The device provides information identifying this restricted network address pool, causing the user device to be assigned an IP address within that range.
3. The device of claim 1 , where the one or more processors, are further to: identify a roaming policy, associated with the user device, based on information that identifies the user device, the information that identifies the user device being included in the request for DNS information; and where the one or more processors, when identifying the roaming policy information associated with the user device, are to: identify the roaming policy information based on information associated with the roaming policy.
In the data roaming management device of Claim 1, the device identifies the user's roaming policy by extracting a unique identifier from the DNS request. This identifier is used to look up the user's specific roaming policy. The device then uses information associated with that roaming policy to determine if restrictions apply.
4. The device of claim 1 , where the one or more processors are further to: identify, based on the roaming policy information, a set of visited networks via which the user device is permitted to send or receive data, the roaming policy information including information that identifies the set of visited networks; determine, based on information that identifies the visited network, that the set of visited networks does not include the visited network; and when determining that the user device is restricted from sending or receiving data via the visited network, the one or more processors are to: determine that the user device is restricted from sending or receiving data via the visited network based on determining that the set of visited networks does not include the visited network.
In the data roaming management device of Claim 1, the device determines roaming restrictions by checking a list of allowed networks in the user's roaming policy. If the current foreign network isn't on this list, the device restricts data access and redirects the user to the restricted DNS server for authorization. The device first identifies a set of "allowed" visited networks from the roaming policy and then compares it to the current visited network.
5. The device of claim 1 , where the one or more processors are further to: identify, based on the roaming policy information, a set of visited networks via which the user device is restricted from sending or receiving data, the roaming policy information including information that identifies the set of visited networks; determine, based on information that identifies the visited network, that the set of visited networks includes the visited network; and when determining that the user device is restricted from sending or receiving data via the visited network, the one or more processors are to: determine that the user device is restricted from sending or receiving data via the visited network based on determining that the set of visited networks includes the visited network.
In the data roaming management device of Claim 1, the device determines roaming restrictions by checking a list of forbidden networks in the user's roaming policy. If the current foreign network is on this "blacklist", the device restricts data access and redirects the user to the restricted DNS server for authorization. The device first identifies a set of "restricted" visited networks from the roaming policy and then compares it to the current visited network.
6. The device of claim 1 , where the one or more processors are further to: receive the roaming policy information, the roaming policy information including: information that identifies a set of visited networks via which the user device is restricted from sending or receiving data, information that identifies a set of visited networks via which the user device is permitted to send or receive data, information that identifies the restricted DNS server, and information that identifies the standard DNS server; and store the roaming policy information.
In the data roaming management device of Claim 1, the device stores the roaming policy information. This information includes lists of allowed and disallowed networks, as well as the addresses of both the restricted and standard DNS servers. The device receives this roaming policy information and stores it for future use.
7. The device of claim 1 , where the one or more processors, after providing the DNS information, are further to: obtain updated subscription information associated with the user device, the updated subscription information indicating that the user device is permitted to send or receive data via the visited network; receive another request for DNS information to be provided to the user device communicating via the visited network; and determine, based on the updated subscription information, that the user device is permitted to send or receive data via the visited network.
Following the initial DNS redirection in the data roaming management device of Claim 1, the device monitors for changes in the user's subscription. If the user's subscription is updated to permit roaming, the device will then provide the standard DNS server address upon the next DNS request, thus allowing normal internet access. This requires obtaining subscription updates after initially restricting access based on an earlier request.
8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, the instructions comprising: one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: receive a request for domain name system (DNS) information to be provided to a user device communicating via a visited network, the visited network being a network that is not a home network of the user device; determine, based on receiving the request, roaming policy information associated with the user device; determine, based on the roaming policy information, that the user device is restricted from receiving a data roaming service via the visited network; identify restricted DNS information to be provided to the user device, the restricted DNS information including information identifying a restricted DNS server to which the user device is to be directed; transmit the restricted DNS information, the restricted DNS information being transmitted to cause the user device to be directed to the restricted DNS server, the user device being directed to the restricted DNS server to allow a user of the user device to authorize or enable the user device to receive the data roaming service via the visited network; determine that the user device is permitted to send or receive data via the visited network based on the user device being directed to the restricted DNS server; determine standard DNS information to be provided to the user device, the standard DNS information including information that identifies a standard DNS server to which the user device is to be directed; and provide the standard DNS information to the user device, the standard DNS information being provided to the user device to cause the user device to be directed to the standard DNS server, and the user device being directed to the standard DNS server in order to allow the user device to receive the data roaming service via the visited network.
A computer-readable medium stores instructions for managing data roaming. When executed, these instructions cause a device to intercept DNS requests from a user device on a foreign network. If roaming is initially restricted based on policy, the device responds with the address of a "restricted DNS server". This server likely presents an authorization page, allowing the user to enable roaming. If the user authorizes roaming, the device then responds to subsequent DNS requests with the address of a normal "standard DNS server," enabling full internet access on the foreign network.
9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , where the instructions further comprise: one or more instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: determine information that identifies a restricted network address pool, the restricted network address pool including a group of restricted network addresses from which the user device is to be assigned a network address; and provide the information that identifies the restricted network address pool such that the user device is assigned a restricted network address of the group of restricted network addresses.
The computer-readable medium of Claim 8, which manages data roaming, further includes instructions to assign the user device an IP address from a special "restricted network address pool" when initially restricting roaming access. This pool is separate from the normal address range and may limit functionality until the user authorizes roaming. The instructions provide information identifying this restricted network address pool, causing the user device to be assigned an IP address within that range.
10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , where the instructions further comprise: one or more instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: identify a roaming policy, to which the user device is assigned, based on a user device identifier associated with the user device, the user device identifier being included in the request for DNS information; and where the one or more instructions, that cause the one or more processors to determine the roaming policy information associated with the user device, cause the one or more processors to: determine the roaming policy information based on information associated with the roaming policy.
The computer-readable medium of Claim 8, which manages data roaming, includes instructions to identify the user's roaming policy by extracting a unique identifier from the DNS request. This identifier is used to look up the user's specific roaming policy. The device then uses information associated with that roaming policy to determine if restrictions apply.
11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , where the instructions further comprise: one or more instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: identify, based on the roaming policy information, a group of visited networks via which the user device is permitted to receive the data roaming service, the roaming policy information including information that identifies the group of visited networks; determine, based on information that identifies the visited network, that the group of visited networks does not include the visited network; and where the one or more instructions, that cause one or more processors to determine that the user device is restricted from receiving the data roaming service via the visited network, cause the one or more processors to: determine that the user device is restricted from receiving the data roaming service via the visited network based on determining that the group of visited networks does not include the visited network.
The computer-readable medium of Claim 8, which manages data roaming, includes instructions to determine roaming restrictions by checking a list of allowed networks in the user's roaming policy. If the current foreign network isn't on this list, the device restricts data access and redirects the user to the restricted DNS server for authorization. The instructions first identify a set of "allowed" visited networks from the roaming policy and then compares it to the current visited network.
12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , where the instructions further comprise: one or more instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to: identify, based on the roaming policy information, a group of visited networks via which the user device is restricted from receiving the data roaming service, the roaming policy information including information that identifies the group of visited networks; determine, based on information that identifies the visited network, that the group of visited networks includes the visited network; and where the one or more instructions, that cause one or more processors to determine that the user device is restricted from receiving the data roaming service via the visited network, cause the one or more processors to: determine that the user device is restricted from receiving the data roaming service via the visited network based on determining that the group of visited networks includes the visited network.
The computer-readable medium of Claim 8, which manages data roaming, includes instructions to determine roaming restrictions by checking a list of forbidden networks in the user's roaming policy. If the current foreign network is on this "blacklist", the device restricts data access and redirects the user to the restricted DNS server for authorization. The instructions first identify a set of "restricted" visited networks from the roaming policy and then compares it to the current visited network.
13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , where the instructions further comprise: one or more instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: receive the roaming policy information, the roaming policy information including: information that identifies a group of visited networks via which the user device is restricted from receiving the data roaming service, information that identifies a group of visited networks via which the user device is permitted to receive the data roaming service, information that identifies the restricted DNS server, and information that identifies the standard DNS server; and store the roaming policy information.
The computer-readable medium of Claim 8, which manages data roaming, includes instructions to store the roaming policy information. This information includes lists of allowed and disallowed networks, as well as the addresses of both the restricted and standard DNS servers. The instructions receive this roaming policy information and store it for future use.
14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , where the instructions further comprise: one or more instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: obtain updated subscription information associated with the user device, the updated subscription information indicating that the user device is permitted to receive the data roaming service via the visited network; receive another request for DNS information to be provided to the user device communicating via the visited network; and determine, based on the updated subscription information, that the user device is permitted to receive the data roaming service via the visited network.
The computer-readable medium of Claim 8, which manages data roaming, includes instructions such that, following the initial DNS redirection, the device monitors for changes in the user's subscription. If the user's subscription is updated to permit roaming, the device will then provide the standard DNS server address upon the next DNS request, thus allowing normal internet access. This requires obtaining subscription updates after initially restricting access based on an earlier request.
15. A method, comprising: receiving, by a device, an indication to determine domain name system (DNS) information to be provided to a user device communicating via a visited network, the visited network being a network that is not a home network of the user device; identifying, by the device and based on receiving the indication, roaming policy information associated with the user device; determining, by the device and based on the roaming policy information, that the user device is restricted from communicating via the visited network; determining, by the device, restricted DNS information to be provided to the user device, the restricted DNS information including information that identifies a restricted DNS server to which the user device is to be directed, and the restricted DNS information including information that identifies a restricted network address pool from which the user device is to be assigned a network address; providing, by the device, the restricted DNS information to the user device, the restricted DNS information being provided to cause the user device to be directed to the restricted DNS server, the user device being directed to the restricted DNS server in order to allow a user of the user device to select a roaming option associated with permitting the user device to send or receive data via the visited network; determining, by the device and based on the user device being directed to the restricted DNS server, that the user device is permitted to communicate via the visited network; determining, by the device, standard DNS information to be provided to the user device, the standard DNS information including information that identifies a standard DNS server to which the user device is to be directed, and the standard DNS information including information that identifies a standard network address pool from which the user device is to be assigned a network address; and providing, by the device, the standard DNS information to the user device, the standard DNS information being provided to cause the user device to be directed to the standard DNS server, and the user device being directed to the standard DNS server in order to allow the user device to communicate via the visited network.
A method for controlling data roaming involves a device intercepting DNS requests from a user device on a foreign network. Roaming policy information is identified based on the request. If the user is restricted, the device provides a "restricted DNS server" address and an IP address from a "restricted network address pool." This server likely presents an authorization page for enabling roaming. After authorization, subsequent DNS requests are answered with the "standard DNS server" address and a "standard network address pool," enabling full internet access.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising: identifying a roaming policy, associated with the user device, based on information that identifies the user device, the information that identifies the user device being included in the indication to determine the restricted DNS information; and where identifying the roaming policy information associated with the user device comprises: identifying the roaming policy information based on information associated with the roaming policy.
The data roaming method of Claim 15, further includes identifying the roaming policy based on a user device identifier included in the DNS request. This identifier is used to find the specific roaming policy applicable to the user. The roaming policy information is then identified based on information associated with the found roaming policy.
17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising: identifying, based on the roaming policy information, a set of visited networks via which the user device is permitted to communicate, the roaming policy information including information that identifies the set of visited networks; determining, based on information that identifies the visited network, that the set of visited networks does not include the visited network; and where determining that the user device is restricted from communicating via the visited network comprises: determining that the user device is restricted from communicating via the visited network based on determining that the set of visited networks does not include the visited network.
The data roaming method of Claim 15, determines roaming restrictions by consulting a list of allowed networks in the user's roaming policy. If the current foreign network isn't on this list, the device restricts data access and redirects the user to the restricted DNS server for authorization. The method includes identifying a set of allowed visited networks from the roaming policy and comparing it to the current visited network. Roaming is restricted if the visited network is not in the "allowed" set.
18. The method of claim 15 , further comprising: identifying, based on the roaming policy information, a set of visited networks via which the user device is restricted from communicating, the roaming policy information including information that identifies the set of visited networks; determining, based on information that identifies the visited network, that the set of visited networks includes the visited network; and where determining that the user device is restricted from communicating via the visited network comprises: determining that the user device is restricted from communicating via the visited network based on determining that the set of visited networks includes the visited network.
The data roaming method of Claim 15, determines roaming restrictions by consulting a list of forbidden networks in the user's roaming policy. If the current foreign network is on this "blacklist", the device restricts data access and redirects the user to the restricted DNS server for authorization. The method includes identifying a set of "restricted" visited networks from the roaming policy and comparing it to the current visited network. Roaming is restricted if the visited network is in the "restricted" set.
19. The method of claim 15 , further comprising: receiving the roaming policy information, the roaming policy information including: information that identifies a set of visited networks via which the user device is restricted from communicating, information that identifies a set of visited networks via which the user device is permitted to communicate, information that identifies the restricted DNS server, and information that identifies the standard DNS server; and storing the roaming policy information.
The data roaming method of Claim 15, involves receiving and storing the roaming policy information. This information includes lists of allowed and disallowed networks, as well as the addresses of both the restricted and standard DNS servers. The method involves receiving and storing this policy information.
20. The method of claim 15 , further comprising: obtaining, after providing the restricted DNS information, updated subscription information associated with the user device, the updated subscription information indicating that the user device is permitted to communicate via the visited network; receiving another indication to determine DNS information to be provided to the user device communicating via the visited network; and determining, based on the updated subscription information, that the user device is permitted to communicate via the visited network.
In the data roaming method of Claim 15, after initially directing the user to the restricted DNS server, the device monitors for updates to the user's subscription information. If the subscription is updated to allow roaming, the device will then provide the standard DNS server address upon the next DNS request, enabling normal internet access. This requires obtaining updated subscription information after the initial restriction.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
December 22, 2014
June 27, 2017
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.